Tony Ellis, DPT, MS2﻿﻿

Tony presides over the development and implementation of all activities associated with PhysioWellnessNYC LLC, the Brooklyn Runners' Wellness Clinic﻿, ﻿and the Sponsorship for Community Wellness’ Educational Outreach Program. Tony has been a practitioner in the field of health and wellness for the past 30 years. For nine years ending June 1998, he engaged a full time corporate career in the Information Technology industry as an analyst and consultant. During several phases of his corporate career he worked and studied simultaneously in the allied health field.

Tony earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree, with a major in Management Information Systems, from the University of Georgia. He served as the Strength and Conditioning coach of the University of Georgia’s Women's Gymnastics team, from 1987 to 1989, working with U.S. and Canadian Olympians and a member of the U.S. National Team. His conditioning regimen played an integral part in the team’s 1989 National Championship season.

Tony obtained a Master of Science degree, in Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. His academic record was honored as he maintained Graduate Dean’s List status and was recognized in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (Graduate Division). At Brooklyn College, his literature review based research focused in the area of clinically applied exercise physiology and associated physiological adaptations that assist in the prevention, management, and rehabilitation of various states of diminished health and disease. Specifically, he reviewed applications of applied exercise physiology in preventive therapy and management of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM or Type II), osteoporosis, and elevated blood lipids (hyperlipidemia). Additional research was conducted regarding the relevance of prescribed physical activity in the management of hypothyroidism. His final graduate research project, Exercise Immunology: Immunoregulatory Enhancement in Response to Clinically Prescribed Exercise Training, addressed the enhancement of the immunoregulatory system via specific dose-response implementations of physical activity and highlighted a supporting basis for the use of clinically prescribed physical activity as adjuvant therapy, in conjunction with medical care, for the treatment of various cancers, cystic fibrosis, HIV, and other immunodeficient conditions. He completed clinical internships, as an exercise physiologist, in cardiac stress testing and out-patient cardiac rehabilitation at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn and New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical Center (The Hospital of Columbia and Cornell Universities), in Manhattan.

In pursuit of a greater understanding for the relevance of nutritional therapy in physical rehabilitation and the prevention and management of various disease states, Tony completed an additional Master of Science degree at the University of Bridgeport (Bridgeport, Connecticut). His academic work earned him induction into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. His literature review based research focused on biochemical responses to nutrient adequacy and deficiency that subsequently affect genetic integrity. His thesis, The Influence of Folate Deficiency on DNA Stability, Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Associated Disease States: A study of molecular hypomethylation and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, assesses the expanding field of research on nutrient-gene interactions and implications for viable nutrient therapy and adherence to sound nutritional practices in disease management and prevention.

With an enduring service-oriented resolve to provide effective care in physical rehabilitation, disease management, and wellness education, Tony completed the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed specialization coursework in adult neurological rehabilitation, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, and vestibular rehabilitation. Clinical internships were completed in:

Tony is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and maintains ACSM professional certification. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Nutrition (ASN); the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition (SCAN) Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics; the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): Sports Physical Therapy Section (SPTS); and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is currently preparing for the APTA Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) Board Certification.

Competing in events ranging from the 5th Avenue Mile to ten marathons, Tony is an avid runner and active member and volunteer of New York Road Runners. He is also a member of Brooklyn's Prospect Park Track Club and a certified USA Track and Field Level 1﻿ Coach specializing in performance conditioning, injury prevention and rehabilitation for sprinters, distance runners and field athletes. Tony has served on the medical teams for the ING New York City Marathon, IRONMAN USA Championships, IRONMAN North American Championships﻿ (Mont-Tremblant, Quebec), New York City Triathlon, USATF National Club Track & Field Championships﻿ (2013, 2015, 2017), USATF Indoor Track & Field Championships (2016), IAAF World Indoor Championships (2016), and USA Track & Field Olympic Trials (2016).

As a fortunate and inspired survivor of a rare neurovascular disease, requiring a cumulative seven years (2000 – 2006) of rigorous treatment, involving nine major surgical procedures, Tony’s compassionate intentions and caring demeanor are firmly grounded and guided by a deep-seated, persevering faith. His personal experience as a patient confronting a daunting health challenge provides profound insight and empathy in his professional care. Tony and his wife Susie are Brooklyn residents and the proud parents of three vivacious boys, Ian, Kai, and Oli.